Vehicle crash kills state prison K-9 officer, dog

SACRAMENTO, Calif. 
A state correctional officer and his search dog died Monday in a single-vehicle crash in San Diego County.

Gilbert Cortez, 46, of Eastvale, and his dog, Mattie, were among five K-9 teams driving south in separate vehicles on state Route 79 shortly after 7 a.m. They were headed to the La Cima Fire Camp 60 miles northeast of San Diego, where they were scheduled to search inmates for drugs and other contraband.

Cortez's vehicle was in the lead when it drifted to the right, overcorrected and crossed the highway, California Highway Patrol Officer Brian Pennings said. The CHP was trying to determine why.

The vehicle rolled and struck a rock embankment. Other officers started CPR, but Cortez died before he could be airlifted to a hospital.

Cortez joined the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in 1990 at the California Institution for Men in Chino. He transferred to the California Rehabilitation Center in Norco in 2001, where he completed his K-9 training.

Gov. Jerry Brown said flags at the Capitol will be flown at half-staff in his honor.

"Anne and I offer our deep condolences to Officer Cortez's family, friends and colleagues as they mourn the loss of this dedicated officer," Brown said in a statement. "We are grateful for his courage and years of service to the people of California."

Cortez is survived by his wife and two children.

"His untimely passing, in the line of duty, is a huge loss to all who worked with him," Corrections Secretary Jeff Beard said in a statement.

Mattie, a Belgian Malinois, was donated by a citizen in the San Diego area and began working with Cortez in 2011.